What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in Bergen County, NJ This one-day marketplace gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own products or services.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 50-60 businesses.
How much is it to participate?
$25 to have your own designated space (1 table and chairs is to be brought by entrepreneur participants) on the day of the event May 7th 1-4
(up to 3 members/partners per business). Set up time starts at 12 noon. Clean up after the fair is a responsibility of entrepreneur/participant not the organizer. Any boxes or materials you bring in, it has to taken away with you.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online. Send your 1-2 minute video made by the children entering the fair pitching their ideas via email directly to me Mimi at organizdwell@gmail.com.
Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
- What product or service do you plan to sell?
- What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
- How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
- At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor/indoor event(depending on weather) at the Superdome Sports in Waldwick, NJ where your kids will be presenting their product or service. Each business will be given a space to place 1 table and 1-3 chairs (All to be brought by participants) We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. There will be no wall to hang banners. All decor that will be needed for your business presentation has to be either free standing or on the table.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the tables.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from any potential prizes.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
